Mini Countryman and Clubman JCW bumped up to 302bhp

Mini has upgraded the hot John Cooper Works variants of its Countryman crossover and Clubman estate, making them significantly more powerful and faster.

Claimed to be the most powerful Minis approved for road use to date, the cars pack a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that has been boosted from the 228bhp of the outgoing models to 302bhp, with torque rising by 74lb ft to 332lb ft.

The upgrade enables a 0-62mph time of 4.9sec for the Clubman and 5.1sec for the Countryman – 1.4sec and 1.5sec quicker than the previous models respectively. Both top out at a governed 155mph. For reference, the rival Cupra Ateca puts out 296bhp and manages the sprint to 62mph in 5.2sec.

Mini claims the engine has been “completely redesigned” with crankshaft modifications and a new vibration damper with optimised cooling. These tweaks help to improve response, claims Mini, as well as boosting output. A new, louder sports exhaust also features with a petrol particulate filter.

The standard eight-speed automatic gearbox has been revised for greater internal efficiency and to allow the engine to pull lower revs in higher gears. A new mechanical differential lock has also been drafted in to keep the power in check, calibrated with the stability control system to ensure better traction on poor surfaces or in bad weather.

The suspension has been worked on, too, with both cars fitted with model-specific variants of the existing front and rear axles. Adaptive dampers are optional, with both the standard and adaptive chassis able to be lowered by 10mm optionally.